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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 03, 2023 23:21 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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Rob Sielecki at Crystal Universe (Ausrox) has a bournonite cogwheel group that must be seen to be believed - lustrous, large and complete all the way around - excellent.
bob
Mineral: | Bournonite |
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Mineral: | Bournonite |
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Mineral: | Fluorite |
Locality: | Huanggang Mines, Hexigten Banner (Kèshíkèténg Qí), Chifeng (Ulanhad), Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China | |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 03, 2023 23:25 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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Gulam Mustafa had a single display case loaded with exquisite specimens - including two "kinda blue cap" tourmalines from Paprok.
bob
Mineral: | Tourmaline |
Locality: | Paprok, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan | |
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Mineral: | Tourmaline |
Locality: | Paprok, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan | |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 03, 2023 23:41 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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In what seems to be "The Mineral of the Show" theme; Fluorite, Kevin Downey of Well-Arranged Molecules has some top pieces - see photos.
bob
Mineral: | Fluorite |
Locality: | Principality of Asturias (Asturias), Spain | |
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Mineral: | Fluorite on Celestine |
Locality: | Tule Mine, Melchor Múzquiz, Municipio Melchor Múzquiz, Coahuila (Coahuila de Zaragoza), Mexico | |
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9826 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Fluorite |
Locality: | Fujian Province, China | |
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Mineral: | Fluorite |
Locality: | Yindu, Hexigten Banner (Kèshíkèténg Qí), Chifeng (Ulanhad), Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China | |
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Mineral: | Sphalerite |
Locality: | Balmat, Balmat-Edwards Zinc District, St. Lawrence County, New York, USA | |
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9834 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Tourmaline |
Locality: | Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Zaire) | |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 03, 2023 23:52 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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Every year The Ramoses in the Top Gem annex bring literally tons of Peruvian sulfides - especially pyrite from Huanzala - with usually a new or unique crystal form. This year was no exception as they were showing what appears ro be "pyrite frosting" on pyrite dodecahedrons. See photos.
Also, on offering later in the day were "Pisco Sours" - a traditional Peruvian cocktail that is quite refreshing and a real treat with cheeses, meats and crackers.
This kinda took me back to the Desert Inn days when late in the day the area around the pool became the REAL mineral central.
bob
Mineral: | Pyrite on Pyrite |
Locality: | Huanzala Mine, Huallanca District, Dos de Mayo Province, Huánuco Department, Peru | |
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9824 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Pyrite on Pyrite |
Locality: | Huanzala Mine, Huallanca District, Dos de Mayo Province, Huánuco Department, Peru | |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 04, 2023 21:53 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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In Wayne Thompson's Westward Look room, he was displaying many of his specimens of fluorite from around the world and through the visible spectrum. These were not for sale but were a pleasure to google over.
bob
Mineral: | Wayne Thompson's fluorite collections |
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Mineral: | Wayne Thompson's fluorite collections |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 05, 2023 18:40 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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Hungarian/German dealer Laslo Gal brought a new group of those Romanechite on Goethite specimens that he introduced last year (see the 2022 report for details) and the group included one large cabinet specimen that he was selling on consignment.
His booth is located in the large tent just north of Top Gem and he will also have a booth at the TGMS Show. See photos.
bob
Mineral: | Romanèchite on Goethite |
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Mineral: | Romanèchite on Goethite |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 13, 2023 15:19 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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Well, it's been quite some time since i last posted - incredibly busy with way too many things to list here - but especially due to setting up for the TGMS Show. I'll try to catch up with the dozens of photos I've taken over the last week or so.
Yesterday was tear-down day at the TGMS Show (sometimes called the "Main Show") and for those of us who commit a great deal of time, this tear-down comes with very mixed emotions - "I'm sorry that it's all over" AND "I'm glad that it's all over" - my feet are especially glad that it's all over.
So, to start catching up, I'll start with one of the centerpiece display cases at the TGMS Show. The show theme was silicates and there were LOTS of terrific quartzes on display everywhere.
This centerpiece display was of 4 excellent quartz specimens starting with the HUGH and GEMMY Japanese Law specimen at the top from Nepal. The others are equally terrific. See photos.
bob
Mineral: | Quartz display at the TGMS Show |
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Mineral: | Japan Law Quartz |
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8327 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Rose Quartz |
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8315 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Smokey Quartz Gwindel |
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8328 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Smokey Quartz |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 13, 2023 15:25 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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Every year, the Mineral Association of Dallas (MAD - not to be confused with the JURCS - just us regular collectors) puts in a display case from their members and this year's case focused wonderfully on the show theme. See photos.
bob
Mineral: | MAD Display at the TGMS Show |
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Mineral: | MAD Display at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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Mineral: | MAD Display at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 13, 2023 15:30 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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Not to be outdone, The Arizona Mineral Minions also put in a fine case of various specimens and carvings. See Photos.
bob
Mineral: | AZ Minions Case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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Mineral: | AZ Minions Case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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Mineral: | AZ Minions Case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8299 Time(s) |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 13, 2023 15:41 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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In bucking the show theme - but adding tons of color and crystal forms - Jason Adams entered an excellent case of fluorites. This display was remarkable similar to that displayed by Wayne Thompson at the Westward Look - I'm not sure if there was a connection or what it was.
bob
Mineral: | Jason Adams case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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Mineral: | Jason Adams case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8315 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Jason Adams case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8311 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Jason Adams case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8422 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Jason Adams case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8302 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Jason Adams case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8306 Time(s) |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 13, 2023 15:46 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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Every year Jim and Gail Spann enter a world class case of their collection. Here's this year's case. The back panels came undone and fell over slightly but luckily, they did not knock over or damage any specimens.
Many thanks to Jim and Gail.
bob
Mineral: | Spann Case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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Mineral: | Spann Case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8293 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Spann Case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8297 Time(s) |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 13, 2023 16:00 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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The center cases are typically reserved for some special stuff. This year Gene Mieran filled 6 - yes, 6 - large cases with his gem and mineral specimens. They included a case dedicated to:
1 - Tourmaline
2 - Quartz
3 - Topaz
4 - Garnet and Spodumene
5 - Beryl
6 - Miscellaneous crystals
I'll start with the Tourmaline case.
bob
Mineral: | Tourmaline case by Gene Meiran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8282 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Tourmaline case by Gene Meiran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8277 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Tourmaline case by Gene Meiran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8271 Time(s) |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 13, 2023 16:04 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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Next up is the topaz case - look at the size of these specimens - and mainly undamaged.
bob
Mineral: | Topaz case of Gene Meiran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8260 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Topaz case of Gene Meiran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8258 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Topaz case of Gene Meiran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8261 Time(s) |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 13, 2023 16:32 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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On to my favorite of Gene's cases - the Beryl Case. This case contains my favorite of all his specimens and as it turns out is also Gene's all-time favorite in his collection. See photos.
bob
Mineral: | Beryl case of Gene Meieran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8232 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Beryl case of Gene Meieran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8252 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Beryl case of Gene Meieran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8237 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Beryl case of Gene Meieran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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Look at the gemminess of that one emerald!! |
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8232 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Beryl case of Gene Meieran |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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The "Stop Sign" beryl is my favorite and so happens to be Gene's also. He has good taste. |
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8234 Time(s) |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 13, 2023 16:44 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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Now onto Gene's case to support the show theme - Quartz. There's lots of great speicmens in this display and it is not a real focus area for Gene.
bob
Mineral: | Quartz case of Gene Meieran at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8215 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Quartz case of Gene Meieran at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8231 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Quartz case of Gene Meieran at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8235 Time(s) |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 13, 2023 16:49 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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Now to the garnet and spodumene (kunzite) case. These are not my favorite species but here it is for all to enjoy - and note the fully terminated spodumenes - pretty rare.
bob
Mineral: | Spodumene and Garnet case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8206 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Spodumene and Garnet case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8249 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Spodumene and Garnet case at the TGMS Show |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8200 Time(s) |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 13, 2023 16:58 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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And finally, the Miscellaneous case. LOTS of great pieces adorn this case. I'll focus on a few.
More tomorrow.
bob
Mineral: | Misc Crystal case at the TGMS |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8205 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Misc Crystal case at the TGMS |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8200 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Misc Crystal case at the TGMS |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8205 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Misc Crystal case at the TGMS |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8193 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Misc Crystal case at the TGMS |
Locality: | Arizona, USA | |
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8190 Time(s) |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 14, 2023 22:06 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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Two additional new or interesting items.
1 - Orange gemmy quartz from Sweden
2 - Petroleum included quartz - referred to as "Fire-fly" quartz (no location given.
see photos.
bob
Mineral: | Quartz |
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Mineral: | Quartz |
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7746 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Quartz with petroleum inclusions |
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7748 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Quartz with petroleum inclusions |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 14, 2023 22:53 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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And to wrap up this year's report, some really nice specimens then a summary of my observations of this year's shows.
bob
Mineral: | Rutile and Hematite star in quartz |
Locality: | Caí bom Mine, Novo Horizonte, Bahia, Northeast Region, Brazil | |
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7713 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Wulfenite and Mimetite |
Locality: | Rowley Mine, Theba, Painted Rock District, Painted Rock Mountains, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA | |
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Orange Wulfenite windows with orange mimetite (that some people call red - but it's still excellent) |
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7730 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Aquamarine and Fluorapatite on Quartz |
Locality: | Alchuri, Shigar District, Gilgit-Baltistan (Northern Areas), Pakistan | |
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7738 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Sperrylite |
Description: |
REALLY great coverage of this very rare platinum mineral |
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7736 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Quartz on Elbaite |
Locality: | Pederneira claim, São José da Safira, Governador Valadares, Vale do Rio Doce, Minas Gerais, Brazil | |
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7728 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Ilvaite on Quartz |
Locality: | Huanggang Mines, Hexigten Banner (Kèshíkèténg Qí), Chifeng (Ulanhad), Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China | |
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Description: |
at one time these were fairly common and available - not now |
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7730 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Quartz "dumbbell" |
Description: |
These have been coming out for a while now but the specimens available now seem to be in MUCH better condition and still reasonably priced. when back-lit these can compete with Brandberg and Goboboseb pieces. |
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7729 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Bixbyite and Topaz |
Locality: | Thomas Range, Juab County, Utah, USA | |
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Description: |
Note the little topaz peeking out from behind this large bixbyite xl. This specimen won the Lindstrom trophy. |
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7729 Time(s) |
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bob kerr
Joined: 13 Nov 2011
Posts: 535
Location: Monroeville PA
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Posted: Feb 14, 2023 23:23 Post subject: Re: Tucson Shows 2023 - let the fun begin |
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For this years shows a few quotes come to mind:
- "the only constant is change"
and
- "those who try to hold back the hands of the clock will get their arms torn off"
Some observations:
- initially I thought that this year's shows would return to the glory days of 3-4 years ago - didn't happen. Most dealers said that sales were down (some were WAY down) and although traffic and sales for the first few days was reasonable, both died down significantly.
- Dealers who could be referred to as "Source Dealers" (ones who bring material in bulk sometimes directly from the source - or they are the source) did well and many simply sold out. South African Clive Quite was essentially sold out one week before the shows "officially" started.
- The display cases at the TGMS Show were only a shell of their previous glory. Gene Meieran put in 6 cases of his excellent material but other than a few others (the Spann case and the Fluorite case), the usually world class displays were far from it.
- There was LOTS of open space at the TGMS Show - not enough dealers. The SE and SW corners were populated by tables and chairs and a car raffle and there were numerous open spots in prime locations.
- However, the dealers that were at the TGMS Show did very well.
So, what's going on? Let me offer my opinions and welcome alternative views:
1 - The internet has changed things radically. Both internet auctions and direct sales are taking over. This is simply an economics issue - both for buyers and sellers. MUCH cheaper to buy and sell via web sites or social media. Return policies must be - and are - liberal for this to work as photos and videos can be very misleading.
2 - The business model of most dealers who come to these shows are to either rent annual space or actually own selling buildings outright. The huge cost and risks associated with moving cabinets and minerals are eliminated by keeping put in one place.
3 - Due to many circumstances, Russian and Chinese dealers were missing. A real loss.
4 - Something needs to be done about fake minerals. I know that Graham Sutton has chastised a number of dealers for selling fakes but there's new shams every year and new technologies make it harder to detect these. (There are now glues that do not show up under UV and do not break down with acetone.)
5 - I wonder about the future of the TGMS Show - one of the main draws is the world class displays and last year and this year they were WAY below par. Simple momentum will keep this show going but as more dealers abandon the show the cost per dealer will go up causing more to drop out and raising booth prices even more. A potential death spiral.
That's all from Tucson - I hope you all enjoyed the reports.
bob
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